Poems

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April 26, 2005

To Become Educated

As I walked down the road on my way to become educated
I was deeply absorbed in my thoughts
Which entertained me as I traveled,
Until I met a small girl, no older than eight
Who stood beside her tall, slender father.
I could see by their motions that they waited patiently
For the vehicle which would carry the young girl off.
But this was no ordinary bus wait
As I could see in the humble hope of her father's eyes
For it was clear that the child was retarded.
He held his head high, proud of his daughter
Bearing his cross willingly with the strength of his soul.
And she, from her life's experience, sensed in her restricted mind
That she was not like the others
Treated cruelly, overlooked, or met with ignorant pity
By those who did not understand or were scared.
This made her uneasy as strangers approached
Who would ruefully stare and cluck their tongues
In disgust at the fate this girl was made to suffer.
I approached and I felt the discomfort in the air as
The girl was eyeing me to see my reaction towards her.
My mind turned at once to the memory of my own cousin
And others I had known who were also retarded.
I wondered how I could make her comfortable in my presence
Even though it would only be momentary.
A smile is universal
And simple enough for even an infant to understand.
So as I passed, I looked straight into her large beautiful blue eyes,
Which were totally open in expectation,
And smiled like one who has met an old friend and
She smiled back to show she understood and accepted the gesture.
I went on my way and as I walked I felt
The warmth of God's spirit inside my heart
Burning as heatedly as a campfire
Which showed me that I still knew how to care
After I thought my heart was turned to stone.
A new sensation raced through my veins
And a tear rolled slowly down my cheek.
I was on my way to become educated
Something I accomplished before I reached my destination.
Although the girl was retarded, and will never develop
The intelligence of one who is learned in academics,
She taught me more than any professor could
For her teachings did not come from her mind;
They came from her heart.

Posted by BlueWolf on April 26, 2005 10:51 PM